Saturday, June 26, 2010

From Sea to Shining Sea





Wednesday 6/23 - We did not stop to sight-see in Idaho, but rolled on into and across Oregon on Hiway 20 out of Boise. Getting a little anxious to see the Pacific Ocean again I think. A very nice sunny cruise across the high desert of Eastern Oregon into Bend, then on to the KOA in Sisters, in the shadow of the Cascade Mountains. Jay and I agreed that this was the most well-appointed and beautiful KOA that we have encountered on our journey. I will stay here again.
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Thursday 6/24 - Its amazing to us that after all the weeks on the road that we can still get excited in anticipation of a great day of riding these motorcycles. Both of us have ridden in this part of Oregon before, and we know that today will be a stunning ride through the Three Sisters Wilderness area and down the MacKenzie River drainage to the Central Valley of Oregon. The day broke absolutely clear and brilliant, further adding to our anticipation. We are on hallowed motorcycle ground and we can't wait to get rolling. We were not disappointed as we traveled through the forest we were flanked by magnificent views of the craggy snow-covered mountains known as the Three Sisters. Pulling off at Salahie Falls overlook, we walked down into the forest on moss-covered trails and enjoyed the various views of the cataract. Impossible to describe how mysterious these woods are. Due to the constant light mist from the falls the darkened trails take you into a moss-draped rain-forest with air as rare as anything you have ever encountered. Not dank like the rain-drenched woods of the east, but cool, fresh and exhilarating. If you could bottle this air . . . .

After much picture-taking we continued on down the river to the valley near Eugene. A brief run south on the interstate, then we diverted west again on SR 38 for the last segment of coastal mountains before we reach the Oregon Coast at Reedsport. We are anxious to see the ocean again, and agree that we will need to find someone to take a photo us with the Pacific in the background to complete the documentation of our coast-to-coast journey.

We stopped to add layers as we encountered the marine air near Reedsport, and Jay remarked that we had not enjoyed the bracing scent of sea air since we left Rhode Island over two weeks ago.

OK - there it is - the fabled Highway 101. We know this road.. both of us have driven and ridden it end-to-end through city, redwood forest, coastal plain and craggy seashore. It is the lifeline arterial that we grew up with, and has continued to thread through our lives all these years. We rode our first motorcycles on good old 101 and will likely ride our last here as well. Can't go further west from here without a boat... we head south towards California.

We bed down at Humbug Mountain State Park in Oregon, one of Jay's favorite places. A beautiful fern-gladed campsite shields us from the north winds that are whipping up foam on the leading edges of the waves. Our last night out, we splurge and buy some firewood. With the campfire crackling nicely, we kick back and commence to reminisce about the experiences and our impressions of our adventure.
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Friday 6/25 - Jay's home is in Arcata, which is less than 200 miles from this last camp in Oregon. No need to hurry this morning. The weather gods continued to smile upon us... the Oregon coast is not where you would typically expect a bright sunny morning, but that is what we encountered as we stepped out of the tents. No fog, no drippy dew.

After a leisurely breakfast, we packed up for the last time and headed south on 101 towards California. In Crescent City, we stopped for a cup of coffee at McDonald's, and as we were preparing to get back on the bikes, we saw a group of riders pass by. We know these folks, they are part of the UMCI group in Eureka, and we knew they were heading to Grants Pass Oregon for a weekend campout. I raised Dean on the CB and respectfully declined his suggestion that we accompany them back to Oregon and join the fun. We are nearly home and we have had enough of camping for a while.

Arriving at Jay's place in Arcata, all looks in order despite his 6 weeks of absence. We go inside and exchange picture files then I roll on south, heading for Hydesville, where my brother Frank lives. I will visit with Frank, Jinny and Ellie for a day, then hop over the hills to home via highway 36 on Sunday.





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